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Volume 161 of Zoologica reviews and analyses the evolution and phylogeny of bees.
It is subdivided into two parts
Part One: A Preamble to the Evolution and
Phylogeny of Bees
provides a complete and
critical review of all previous attempts to reconstruct the phylogenetic tree of bees (Anthophila / Apiformes) based on morphological,
bionomic and molecular approaches and presented in chronological sequence up to and including recent publications. At the same time,
the introductory part examines trends in the
classification of bees and compares available
hypotheses of bee evolution. Part One closes
with a family-wise delineation of the fossil history of bees.

Part Two: A Phylogenetic Study of Bees in
Light of Morphological Evidence
adds an
experimental study to complement the bibliographical analysis provided in Part One.
The phylogenetic relationships of the larger
taxonomic units of bees are tested anew using an extensive dataset of selected morphological features. The study uses all common
and current computer-aided techniques of
cladistic analysis (parsimony, successive/implied weight, Bayesian and neighbor-joining),
which are applied to representatives of all
seven families, 22 subfamilies and 48 of 58
tribes of bees. The conclusions drawn from
this are evaluated for the major groups (i.e.,
short-tongued and long-tongued bees), and
separately for the families, subfamilies and
tribes in each case.

In a world currently dominated by molecular
genetic approaches to phylogeny, this study
clearly demonstrates that it is not anachronistic to engage in morphological efforts, because
progress can be significantly advanced and the
pool of available scientific arguments enriched.
The diversity of the object of investigation justifies a variety of methods.

This monograph is a much needed reference
work of high practical value for everybody interested
in bee evolution, phylogeny and morphology.
It addresses researchers and students alike.